Torch holding attachment for gas cutting machines



J'fan., i12, w54 J. H. w. BEGEROW 2,665,909

TORCH HOLDING ATTACHMENT FOR GAS CUTTING MACHINES Filed Deo. l5, 1949 4Sheets-Sheet l iNvr-:NTCR

-JOHN H.W.BEGEROW ATTORNEYS JJHTI. A2, w54 I. H. W. BEGEROW 296659900 vTORCH HOLDING ATTACHMENT FOR CAS CUTTING MACHINES Filed Dec. l5, 1949 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOHN H. W. BEGEROW ATTORNEYS L Jan. 12, 1954l LH, W BEGEROW 2,665,900

TORCH HOLDING ATTACHMENT FOR GAS CUTTING MACHINES Filed Dec. l5, 1949 4Sheetsv-Sheet 5 INVENTQR JOHN H.W. BEGEROW ATTO RN EY Jan. M1954" J. H.W. BEGEROW TORCH HOLDING ATTACHMENT FOR GAS CUTTING MACHINES Filed DeC.l5, 1949 4 Shets-Sheet 4 MIMI INVENTOR JOHN H.w. BEGEROW ATTORN EYPatented Jan. l2, 1954 UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE TORCH HOLDINGATTACHMENT FOR GAS CUTTING MACHINES Application December 15, 1949,Serial No. 133,067

(Cl. 26S-23) 11 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for thermo-chemically cutting metalby means of oxygen cutting torches. More particularly the inventionrelates to a torch holding attachment for gas cutting machines adaptedto hold a plurality of torches in proper position for bevel cutting andpreparing the edges of plates for subsequent welding.

To prepare plate edges for welding, and sometimes to prepare them forother purposes, it is often necessary to employ three torches, one forcutting the Work to form a bevel along the upper edge of the preparedplate, one for cutting the work to form an oppositely inclined bevelalong the lower edge of the prepared plate, and one for cutting the workto form a land that constitutes the extreme edge face of the preparedplate. The torches must be arranged and adjusted in a special way foreach type of edge preparation depending upon the thickness of the plate,the desired angle of the bevels, and the width of the land. Since thesefactors vary considerably, many different torch arrangements andadjustments are required to take care of them all. There is therefore ademand for a single torch holding attachment for a gas cutting machinethat will hold at least three torches and which will permit enough torcharrangements and adjustments to take care of any type of edgepreparation which might be required and which will permit sucharrangements and adjustments to be made easily, quickly and accurately,thus eliminating the present time-consuming and inconvenient practice ofmaking up a special torch arrangement for each` type of edge preparationby attaching individual torch holders to the cutting machine andobtaining the desired adjustments by whatever means happens to beavailable. The attachment should also have means whereby the spacing ofthe I tips of the group of torches from the work surface is maintainedconstant, for this is important in bevel cutting because any variationin the spacing will aiiect the width of the bevels and the land. Suchmeans should permit the required vertical movement of the group oftorches to accomplish this While constraining the torches against anylateral movement of the kind that can result for instance from play finthe supporting structure when the torches :are supported by a foldingparallelogram linkage .as has `already been proposed. It is thereforethe principal object of this invention to provide :a single torchholding attachment which will answer the above-mentioned requirements.

Certain special features of the invention are applicable `to a torchholding attachment adapted to hold a greater or smaller number thanthree torches, and it is therefore an additional object of the inventionto provide an improved type of torch holder attachment embodying thesespecial features to be hereinafter described.

A torch holding attachment embodying the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the attachment;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the attachment;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of the upper portion of the guide box inwhich the vertical bar of the attachment is slidably mounted, a portionof the guide box being broken away to show the construction of one ofthe roller bearings mounted in the guide box;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of the lower portion only of theattachment;

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of the torches positioned forcutting a double bevel and land;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken approximately along line 6-6 ofFig. 4 with the torches removed;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken approximately along line 1 1 of Fig.4;

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the horizontal guide bar on which thetorch holders are mounted;

Fig. 9 is a transverse section taken approximately along line 9 9 ofFig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged transverse section through the special bracketthat clamps theattachment to a part of the cutting machine;

Fig. 11 is a section taken approximately along line lI-ll of Fig. 10;and

Fig. 12 is a section taken approximately along line i2-I2 of Fig. l1.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the complete torch holding attachmentcomprises the follow-Y ing principal parts: a special bracket B (Fig. 2)having a clamping portion adapted to be clamped to some part of a gascutting machine such as the usual torch bar, and serving to pivotallysupport the attachment so that it can be swung either to an operative oran inoperative position, the vbracket having means whereby'ne adjustmentof the attachment and its group of torches can be made laterally of 'theline of cutY a vertical bar V rectilinearly movable the guide box; ahorizontal guide bar H (Fig. l) connected to the lower end of thevertical bar so that it can be turned about the axis ot the vertical barin a horizontal plane when desired; three torches T1, Tz and T3 mountedon the guide bar H, the torches being relatively adjustable transverselyof the line ofv cut, i. e., transversely of the direction in which thetorches are .moved by the cutting machine, and each torch being inudependently adjustable forwardly or rearwardly f cut and also ane. i mthe dlrectlon of the Ime o biiu'rcated'inner end` 1h which a roller i8is rOe gularly; and a caster wheel C (Fig. 2) adapted to d o erativel7ccn-m l s a s Y s, rou on the Work Surface an p 3! 15 facer of thevertical bar V. `There arefourpi these bearihguhits atY the upper end ofthe guide nected to the vertical bar V to nslideit in the guide box Gwhen there are irregularities in the work surface to thereby keep thetorch tips spaced a constant distance from the surface ci thework-piece. Y

In Fig. 2 of the drawings the attachment is shown clamped to a memberIl) which be assumed to be the usual torch bar ci a cutting machine, orany'other partF thereof to which thev attachment can be convenientlyclamped and whichwill movethe torches at uniform cutting speed along theproposed line of cut (to the right or left as viewed in Fig. 2l.' Thedrawings Ashow the part l of the cutting machine as having a squarecross-section because this vistljieA usual cross-sectional shabe'of thetorchbar of most gas cutting machines, andthe clamp portion i! of thebracket B is shown shaped accordingly, but it should be understoodvthatthe particular nature of the clamp portion of the bracket will dependupon the nature of the oartof the cutting machine to which it is to befastened.

The clamp portion Il of the bracket has a screw l2 (Fig. 2) hv meansr ofwhich the bracket and hence the complete attachment can belocked in anyposition along the length of the torch bar 40 l0 ofv the cuttingmachine. The clamp portion Il shown in the drawings diiers from similarclamps heretofore used for clamping lparts to a souareV bar in that itis so 'constructed that it may be attached to the bar l0 at anv placealone,r

the bar from' one end thereof. This, of course, is a great conveniencewhen several torch holding attachments are Vtofbe attached to one bar.As shown in Fig. 2; the clamp portion H completely embraces only twocornersof the bar lil, i. e., the lower' left corner and the upper leftcorner. The part of the clamp portion that would ordinarily extend downover the right side face of the bar` i@ is cut away as shown at H.Therefore. the clamp portion ilvcan be applied to the har I 0 anywherealong the length of the bar by tilting it slightly forward andslippingit laterally onto the bar. As best shown in Fig. 10, the screw l2 isoperatively connected to a movableiaw block l2a which slidesralongadiagonal axis in a part i212 of the clamp portion il. The jaw blockhasan angular recess #2c to accommodate .the upper rightr corner of thetorch bar I0. Before the clamp portion H is slipped latere ally onto thebar Hl, as above described, the

jaw block, 12a, and after the clamp portion is positioned on the bar thescrew i2 is tightened to cause the jaw block 12a to embrace theupperright corner otfthebar.` The bar IB will then be embraced at threeof itscorners. and the clamp portiQn H will be firmly clamped to the bar.

The bracket B has a portion i3 (Fig. 2) which is pivotedto. the clampportion` Ilk of the bracket 5 box G is secured by means ofv bolts l5.

screw l2 is first turned to retract Vthe moraloicv in the mannerhereinafter described so that the entire attachment can be swung to aninoperative position. This portion I3 of the bracket has a iiange I4 towhich the above-mentioned gu'ildle e above-mentioned vertical bar ispreferably square in cross-section andis guided during its verticalmovement by means of bearing units I6 in the guide box. Each bearingunit, as shown 10 in Fig. 3, comprises a cylindrical block il held in anopening in the side wall of the guide box by means of a set 4screw 18.The block l? has a tatably mounted. The rellerbears against 'one bX andfour at its lower end, the four 'lllls facesof the vertical bar V. Theblock i1 of each 2o bearing unit can be adjusted by means of ariadjusting screw when thefset 'screw i3 is loosened, whereby the rdesired lateral spacing ci the vertical bar V within the guide boxcaribe obtained." Theadjuvsting-screw 2o is mounted in a cover plate 2|whichcloses the outer end of the hpe'ning` in which the'roller block 4il1s lo- Y cated. This cover plate is held in place'by means Of screws 22.As bestshown Fig. lll the bear'-` 'Y ing units at each emi of the guidebox are ar= ranged intwo pairsfthe-two `rollers i9 of one rollers of theother pair engaging the other two Y faces of thevertical bare-near its'diagonally opposite corner.4 This .arrangevmentl of the bearing rollersrestrains the vertical bar V against rotational movement to agreaterextent than if each rollerengaged one of the Sides of the vertical baralong a median line thereof; Y I I The above-mentioned horizontal guideb ar H is' supportedat the lowerend of the vertical guide bar Vin themannerv best 'shown in Figs. 6 and '7;

The connection ofv the horizontal bar to the vertical bar is madethrough a coupling 23 having a neck-portionll held in' asocket in thelower the length of the bar `without ,sliding it onto end ofn thevertical bar V`by a pin 25. A Cyln drical shank portion`26 of thecoupling is re'd ceived-in aclamp opening 21' in the horizontal bar andclamped therein by ascrew 28 (Fig. 6).

' ThisA clamping arrangement permits the horizontal bar H to' be rotatedin a horizontal plane o n the verticalbar V'toa new position whendesiredpwhen lclamping"screw 28' is' loosened. A

pointe1k29"(Fig. '7)' is securedf'to the horizontal.- '55' bar H andcooperateswith a'scale 30 on the cour pl1ngf-23 to indicateithe adjustedposition of the;

horizontal bar. Each `ofthe torches' T1," T2 and T3 is mountedin asleeve-type torch holder V Ving rod 32 (Figs. 6 and 7).

holder'for the centraltorch 'Imis clamped in a split-sleeve clamp 33(Figs'. v(Sand '7) at the lower end of a vertical stud 24. This stud isclamped between-clampingplates 35 A s portion of the'bar H-by means ofscrews 355 (Figs.

The horizontal rod 32 on each of the outer torch holders 3l 'is adaptedtobe received in either Plate. '38 asbest vshown Fig. 9. A threaded llliFigs. 4, 6 and. 0 7) Each torch'holder has a horizontally extend- Therod 32 on the` and to the middle A collar 4| is secured to the rear ofeach of the two slide plates 38 by means of a screw 42. The collar dihas threaded engagement with a shaft i3 extending longitudinally of thehorizontal bar H and journaled in a recess therein. The outer end ofeach shaft 53 has a knob ed secured to it by means of which the shaftcan be turned to ad just the corresponding plate 33 to the desiredposition along the horizontal bar H. Adjustment of either plate t3 alongthe horizontal bar H in this manner adjusts the torch holder and thetorch mounted in it transversely of the line of cut.

Each torch is adjustable lengthwise of itself in its holder 3l byturning a knob 45. rlhis rotates a pinion i6 (Fig. 6) which meshes witha rack 4'! on the torch (Fig. 4) and therefore moves the torch up ordown to adjust the spacing of the torch tip 4S from the surface of theworkpiece W (Fig. 4).

The above-mentioned caster wheel C is rotatably mounted in thebifurcated forward end of a bracket i9 (Fig. 7) which is swiveled to anarm 50 by means of a vertical pin 5i. The arm 5G is clamped in a clamp52 at the lower end of a vertical post 53 which in turn is gripped in asplit l clamp 54 forming part of the horizontal guide bar H. The clamp5d has clamping screws 55 (see also Fig. 6) which when loosened permitspost 53 to be adjusted vertically to thereby position the caster wheel Cat the desired level with respect to the horizontal guide bar H. canalso be adjusted forward or backward by sliding the arm 55 in the clamp52. If desired, the post 53 and its clamp 52 may be turned 90 from theposition shown in Fig. 7 so that the arm 5B will then extendtransversely of the line of cut instead of parallel to it, and in thiscase the caster wheel will follow a path which is laterally olf-set fromthe line of cut.

The vertical bar V, the horizontal bar H, and the group of torchescarried by the horizontal bar, can be raised or lowered to the desiredelevation by turning a knob 55 (Figs. l, 2 and ll) connected to a shaft5'! (Fig. 1l) journaled in a casing 58 forming part of the guide box G.The shaft 57 has secured to it a pinion 59 which meshes with rack teeth60 on one face of the vertical bar V. Thus,\turning of the knob 55rotates the pinion 59 to raise or lower the vertical bar. One portion ofthe shaft 5l is surrounded by a coil spring 5l, the inner end of whichis attached to the shaft, and the outer end of which is attached to acover portion 52 of the casing 58. Rotation of the shaft 5'! in aclockwise direction to lower the vertical bar V winds the spring 6l moretightly and produces a greater counterclockwise torque on the shaft.Consequently, whenever the vertical bar bar V is lowered, the springforce reduces the apparent load of the mechanism operated by turning theknob 56 and lessons the effort required to raise the mechanism. Thecounterweight effect of the spring on the vertical bar V and the partscarried by it also provides a smoother floating action of the torchesbecause irregularities on the work surface can raise the caster wheeleasily without causing the vertical bar to bind. The smooth riding ofthe caster` wheel over irregularities in work surface produced in thismanner causes less drag on the machine and assists in the accuratemovement of the torches along the work-piece.

A locking device is provided to clamp the pinion shaft 51 and hold thevertical bar V at any desired level to which it is raised. This lockingThe caster wheel device is operated by turning a knob 63 (ligs'll and12) secured to the end of a short shaft 64 journaled in the casing 58. Athreaded projection 65 on the shaft 64 is threadedly received in acylindrical member 67 movable longitudinally in a drilled recess 5B, andthe threaded projection also passes freely through a second similarcylindrical member or collar 65a. located at the inner end of the shaft64. The two cylindrical members 66a and 61 are so arranged that theiradjacent edges can grip the pinion shaft 5l between them. The twogripping edges of the cylindrical members 64a and 61 are respectivelyprovided with chamfers or ilats 55 and 59 (Fig. l2) which providegreater surface contact with the pinion shaft 5l and also preventrotation of the two cylindrical members when the knob 63 is turned alongwith the shaft 54 and its threaded extension 66. Thus, when the knob 63is turned in one direction, the cylindrical member 6l is movedlongitudinally toward the cylindrical member 64a so that the pinionshaft 51 is gripped between the two chamfers or flats 65 and 59. Thislocks the pinion shaft 51 against turning and thereby prevents movementof the vertical bar V. Whenever desired, the torches may be moved awayfrom the work-piece by turning the knob 56 until they are at the desiredelevation and then the knob 63 may be turned to lock the pinion shaft 51and thereby hold the torches in the elevated position. To lower thetorches, the knob 83 is rotated in the opposite direction to release thepinion shaft 51 and the vertical bar V will then descend, either by itsown weight or by rotation of the knob 56, until the caster Wheel C comesin contact with the work surface. During this downward movement of thevertical bar V, the spring 6l will be wound more tightly as abovedescribed. The vertical bar V being now free to move vertically in theguide box G, the torches will have a floating action, the spacing oftheir tips from the surface of the work being maintained constant by thecaster wheel regardless of irregularities in the work surface.

The details of the special bracket B which fastens the attachment to thepart lil of the cutting machine are best illustrated in Figs. l0 and 1l.It has already been stated that the special bracket comprises a clampingportion ii by which the bracket is clamped to the member l0 of thecutting machine, and a portion I3 which is pivoted to the clampingportion l l. The pivotal connection between the two portions ispreferably effected by providing the clamping portion H with a pair ofupright flanges l5, and journaling the ends of a horizontal threadedshaft ll in the flanges, and by utilizing this shaft to hingedly connectthe part i3 of the bracket to the clamping portion Il. The part i3 ofthe bracket has a horizontally extending web 'I2 to which a plate T3 issecured by means of bolts 74. The plate 'i3 has a sleeve portion 'f5which is interiorly threaded to receive the threaded shaft 1|. Thus, thepart I3 of the bracket together with the entire attachment secured toit, can be swung about the axis of the shaft ll from the full-lineoperative position shown in Fig. 10 to the dotted-line horizontalposition. rIhe plate 'i3 preferably has a boss 'i5 which has an openingextending through it. When the attach-V ment is in the operativeposition it may be locked in this position by inserting a locking pin F1through the opening in the boss and through aligned openings in theupright flanges lil on the bracket. To move the attachment to itsinoperative positiouthe locking pin 17 must, of course,A iirst bewithdrawn and after the attachmentvhas been moved to its inoperativeposition,it' may be locked in that position by lnserting the locking pinthrough the opening in the boss 16 and through another pair of openingsin thev upright iianges it of the bracket, one of which appears at 'i8in Fig. 10.

It will be noted from Fig. 11 that the horizontally extending web 12 onthe bracket portion I3, and the plate i3 to which it is bolted, arenarrower than the threaded shaft 'il is long. This permits limitedlateral adjustment of the plate 13, and all parts of the attachmentconnected to it,v relative to the clamping portion Ii of the bracketwhen vthe shaft ii is turned in its bearings by means of a knob i9.

The `upright iianges 'lil may be secured to the clamping portion Il ofthe bracket in any suitable way. ln the particular apparatus illus- Ltrated in the drawings, they are interconnected by a strut 8i! which issecured to the clamping, portion il of the bracket by screws Si, andeach iiange has a boss S2 secured to the clamping portion Il by means ofa screw 83.

Fig. e shows the three torches T1, Tu and T3 arranged so as to produce atrimmed Vedge on the work-piece W having a double bevel and anintermediate land. The central torch T2 is vertically disposed toproduce the land while the outer torches T1 and T3 are inclined to cut abevel above the land and an oppositely inclined bevel below the land.

Let it be assumed, for example, that a rough edged plate having athickness of i is to be trimmed in preparation for welding and that itis desired to provide the plate with a double 45 bevel and a 1/8" land.The arrangement of the torches would then be substantially as shown inthe schematic illustration of Fig. 5. The central torch T2 is placedover the line along which the work-piece is to be cut to form the landand is located at a suicient distance from the original edge of thework-piece to enable the outer torch T3 to direct its cutting jetagainst the workpiece. When the line of cut of the center torch is thusdetermined, the outer torches are given the proper inclination to outthe bevels to the desired angles and are moved outwardly on thehorizontal guide bar H to space the torches the proper distancedepending upon the thickness of the work-piece and the desired width ofthe bevels and the land. It will be apparent from Fig. 5 `that becauseof the land the center torch T2 will be closer to the torch T1 than tothe torch T3.

It will now be seen that the invention provides a single torch holdingattachment adaptedto hold a plurality of torches, preferably three,which can be clamped to the torch bar or some other part of a gascutting machine, and which is capable of a large number of torcharrangements and adjustments without disturbing the main clamp thatclamps the attachment to 'the cutting machine, whereby plate edgepreparation of various types can be performed. Each torch isindependently adjustable rectilinearly in its holder 3| by turning theknob d5 to position the torch tip the proper height above thework-piece, and eachtorch can be independently adjusted to the desiredinclination by turning its holder about the axis of the holdershorizontal supporting rod 32. Moreover, each torch can be independentlyshifted` forward or backward by rectilinear adjustment of its holdershorizontal supporting rod. Once each torcnis adjusted to its correctvertical position in its holder and to its correct forey and aitposition and correct inclination, its torch holder may be locked bytightening the clamp which receives the holders horizontal supportingrod 32, and thereafter the torches may be adjusted laterally, eitherindependently or as a group, without aifecting the torch angles, theirfore and aft adjustments, or the spacing of the tips from the Worksurface. The independent lateral adjustment of the outer torches is madeby moving the plates 38, which carry their holders, along the horizontalguide bar H by turning the knobs M and the shafts 3 to which they areconnected, and the independent lateral adjustment of the center torch ismade by swinging its holder 3l laterally about the axis of the verticalstud 34. Adjustment of the plates 33 by means of the threaded shafts i3provides a micrometer adjustment for the outer torches allowing slightcorrective lateral movements of them to be made until the cut edge onthe work-piece is satisfactory. if the outer torch holders are supportedin the inner clamps on the adjustable plate 38 (Fig. 8) the lateralspacing oi the outer torches may be increased further than the distanceallowed by the outward movement of the adjustable plates by mounting thetorch holders in the outer clamps of the plates. This makes it possibleto out double bevels cn thicker work-pieces, since the greater thethickness of the workpiece the greater must be the lateral spacing ofthe torches if it is desired to have the bevels of the same width. Thelateral adjustment of the torches simultaneously as a group is effectedby turning the knob 'i9 on the shaft 'il mounted on the clamping bracketof the attachment (r'g. l1) Since the shaft 'H is a threaded shaft, thisis a micrometer adjustment which provides for fine lateral adjustment ofthe group of torches to bring them into respective alignment with theseveral lines along which the torches are to out. This adjustment can bemade without disturbing the clamping portion of the bracket which clampsthe attachment to the torch bar of the cutting machine.

All of the torches may be raised or lowered as a group by turning theknob de (Fig. 11), and the group of torches may be locked at any desiredelevation by turning the locking knob S3.

In addition to the foregoing adjustments, the entire group of torchesmay be turned about a vertical axis by rotating the guide'bar H in ahorizontal plane on the end of the vertical bar V. This facilitatesreorientation of the group of torches when it is desired to change thecourse 0f the cut. When cutting a rectangular plate, for instance, thehorizontal guide bar H must be rotated through at each corner, since itis apparent that the bar must be transversely disposed with respect tothe line of cut or the bevels will not be cut to the desired angle. Thisadjustment may be made without affecting the relative positions of thetorches, and therefore the changed course may be started without any newtorch arrangement.

The entire attachment can be swung to an operative position in which thebar V is vertically disposed, or to an inoperative position in which itis substantially horizontal and parallel to the work surface by reasonof the special construction of the bracket which clamps the attachmentto the torch bar or other part of the cutting machine. When the bar V isswung to its inoperative horizontal position, it moves the group oftorches away from the work-piece and to a position some distance aboveit. This facilitates shifting of the work-piece or the substitution ofanother work-piece, and also positions the torches so that the tip facesare readily accessible for cleaning and servicing. When the attachmentis in its operative position with the bar V vertically disposed, thecaster wheel C rides on the surface of the work-piece and moves all ofthe torches simultaneously as a group in response to irregularities inthe work surface to keep the torch tips spaced a constant distance fromthe work surface, the caster wheel being adjustable vertically as abovedescribed to make the spacing the desired amount. Since the vertical barV is constrained to move with a true rectilinear motion, the torches arerestrained against any lateral movement when they are moved verticallyby the caster wheel.

I claim:

l. A torch holding attachment for gas cutting :machines comprising abracket adapted to be yclamped to a part of the cutting machine, a guidebox secured to said bracket and having an open- ;ing extendingvertically through it, a vertical bar :movable rectilinearly in andguided by said guide '-box, a horizontal guide bar carried by the lowerend of the vertical bar, a plurality of torch holders each having ahorizontal rod, a gas torch mounted ,in each holder and having a tipdirected down.-I wardly, slides mounted on the horizontal guide bar inwhich the torch holder rods are clamped so that each rod can be rotatedabout its longitudinal axis to vary the inclination of the correspondingtorch and so that each rod is adjustable vrectilinearly to adjust thecorresponding torch Aforward or backward, said slides being relativelyadjustable lengthwise of and on said horizontal guide bar to vary thelateral spacing between the ztorches, means for so adjusting the slidescom- ;prising manually operable threaded shafts carried by saidhorizontal guide bar each having :threaded connection with one of saidslides, means for adjusting each torch vertically in its torch holder,and a work contacting element adapted to ride on the surface of the workand operatively l:connected to the vertical bar to move it in the guidebox in response to irregularities in the work surface to keep the torchtips spaced a constant distance from the surface of the work.

2. A torch holding attachment for gas cutting machines comprising ahorizontal guide bar, means for supporting the same from a part of thecutting machine, three torch holders supported by said horizontal guidebar each holder having a horizontal supporting rod, torches mounted insaid holders each having a tip directed downwardly, means for adjustingeach torch vertically in its holder, a vertical stud carried by thecentral portion of the horizontal guide bar so that it can be rotatedabout its own axis and having a clamp portion foi` receiving thehorizontal supporting rod on the center torch holder, such rod beingrotatable and also adjustable rectilinearly in said clamp portion, apair of plates slidably mounted on the horizontal guide bar at oppositesides of said vertical stud each having a clamp portion to receive thehorizontal supporting rod on one of the outer torch holders and in whichsuch rod is rotatable and also adjustable rectilinearly, and means forindependently adjusting each of said plates on the horizontal guide barcomprising two shafts rotatably mounted on the horizontal guide bar andeach i0 having threaded connection with one of the slide plates, andmanually operable means for rotating each shaft.

3. A torch holding attachment in accordance with claim 2 having avertical bar to the lower end of which said horizontal guide bar isconnected, guiding means for said vertical bar permitting it to movevertically and guiding it in a rectilinear path, means for fasteningsaid guiding means to a part of the gas cutting machine, and a Workcontacting element adapted to ride on the surface of the work andoperatively connected to said vertical bar to move it rectilinearly inresponse to irregularities in the work surface to keep the torch tipsspaced a constant distance from the surface of the work.

4. A torch holding attachment in accordance with claim 2 having avertical bar to the lower end of which said horizontal guide bar isconnected, the connection between the horizontal guide bar and thevertical bar permitting the horizontal guide bar to be rotativelyadjusted in a horizontal plane about the axis ofthe vertical bar,guiding means for guiding the verticali-bar rectilinearly, means forfastening said guiding means to a part of the gas cutting machine, and awork contacting element adapted to ride on the surface of the work andoperatively connected to said vertical bar to move it rectilinearly inresponse to irregularities in the work surface t0 keep the torch tipsspaced a constant distance from the surface of the work.

5. A torch holding attachment in accordance with claim 2 having avertical bar to the lower end of which said horizontal guide bar isconnected, the connection between the horizontal guide bar and thevertical bar permitting the horizontal guide bar to be rotativelyadjusted in a horizontal plane about the axis of the vertical bar,guiding means for guiding the vertical bar rectilinearly, and a bracketfor fastening said guiding means to a part of the gas cutting machine,said bracket comprising a portion secured to said guiding means and aclamping portion adapted to be clamped to said part of the cuttingmachine, the portion of the bracket that is secured to said guidingmeans being adjustable laterally on the clamping portion of the bracket.

6. A torch holding attachment in accordance with claim 2 having avertical bar to the lower end of which said horizontal guide bar isconnected, the connection between the horizontal guide bar and thevertical bar permitting the horizontal guide bar to be rotativelyadjusted in a horizontal plane about the axis of the vertical bar,guiding means for guiding the vertical bar rectilinearly, and a bracketfor fastening said guiding means to a part of the cutting machine, saidbracket comprising a portion secured to said guiding means and aclamping portion adap-ted to be clamped to said part of the cuttingmachine, the two portions of the bracket being pivotally connected sothat the attachment may be swung about a horizontal axis from itsoperative vertical position to an inoperative position in which saidvertical bar is substantially horizontal and parallel to the worksurface.

7. A torch holding attachment in accordance with claim 6 in which theportion of said bracket that is secured to said guiding means isadjustable laterally on the clamping portion of the bracket.

8. A torch holding attachment for gas cutting machines comprising aguide box having an opening extending vertically through it, means forattaching the guide box to a part of the gas cutting 1lmachine, avertical 'bar movable rectilinearly, in and guided by said guide boX, atleastonetorch fsupportedatthe lower end of the vertical bar vand havinga tip directed downwardly, a work contactgfe'lement below theattachmentadaptedto 'ride on the surface of the work and .operatively "connectedto the vertical bar to move itin1the -jgii'iclebox in response toirregularities, in the work surface to keep the torchtip or tipsspaced-a constant distance irom the surface of the work, and manuallyoperable means for raising and lowering the Yvertical bar comprisingrackteeth nthe vertical bar, apinion shaft journaledin "-fpotionfof 'theguide jbox and having-a-pinion meshing with saidrac'k teeth, and acoilspring s'u'i'oundingthev-pinion shaft and having one lend "securedtor'thepinion shaft and the other end/se- VVcu edito-ia portion of theguideboX- so that the ringjis woundniore tightly when the pinionshaftis-rotated to lower'the vertical bar.

' 95A' torclrholding attachment in accordance withfclaim 8v having meansforlocking saidipinion shaft" against' rotation whereby` the J verticalbar may-110e held at any elevation to which itis moved bylsaidimanuallyoperated` means.

10.' "A torchholding attachment` for glas cutting machines comprising abracket adapted to be clampedfitol a' part offthe cutting machine, a

' ui'de'box secured-to s aidbracket and having an opening vextendingvertically through it, a vertical bar movable -rectilinearly in andguidedby said: guide box, at least one torch supported at`tlief'lower'endY of the vertical bar and having a ti'pf directedYdownwardly, 'and a Work contactingelement-below the attachment adaptedto ride 'on-the surface of the Work and operatively connected tothevertical bar to move it in the guide boxin responseV toA irregularitiesin the worksurfacev to keep 'the torchV tip ortips spaced a con stantdistance from the surface of the work, said bracket comprising a portionsecured to the guide 'boxf of 'the attachment and a clamping portionadaptedto be `clamped to said part of the cutting machine, and meansadjlustably securing thelportion zoi? the bracket that is secured to the"guidebox onA the clamping portion of the bracket ion-movementrelative'thereto in ra horizontal 'drection'substantially normal to aline joining saidclamping portion and the vertical bar.

"121. A torch holding attachment for gas cutting riiaf'shines-comprising a bracket adapted 'to be 12 clamped to apart of. thevcutting machine, aguide 'box 'secured vto said bracket andAhavingan'o'pe'ri; ing extendingvertically through it, a vertical barmovable rectilinearly in and guided bysaid rgu'ile box, atleast onetorch supportedat thelower endof the vertical bar and having aVtipd'irected downwardly, and a work contactingelement below theattachment adapted torridel on thersurface of the Work andoperatively`connected to the vertical bar to moveA it in the guide boxin response to irregularities in the work sur.- face to keep the torchtip vor tips spaced-a constant distance from thesurface of the work,said bracket comprisinga portion secured-to thefguide box of theattachmentand a clamping portion adapted-to be clampedfto said partofthe, c utting machine, and means connecting said portions including athreaded shaft rotatably mounted in one portion but fixed against laxialmovement relative thereto and threadedly received in said other portion,said shaft extending in a horizontal direction substantially normal to aline joining said clamping portion and the vertical bar whereby theportion of the bracket that is secured to the guide box may beadjustedrelative to the clamping portion of the bracket in a horizontaldirection substantially, normal to the line joining said clampingportion and the vertical bar.

JOHN H. W. BEGEROW.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName VDate 1,162,587 Eimann Nov. 30,1915 1,207,916 Hendericks Dec. 172,1916 2,015,329 Anderson Sept'. 24, 1935 2,189,140 Y(ilauni, J1. Feb/6,1940 2,198,808 Eskridge Apr. 30, 1940 2,211,224 Anderson Aug. 13, 19402,293,853 Rountree Aug. 25, 1942 2,372,298 Smith Mar. 27, 1945 2,373,541Chelborg et al Apr. 10, 1945 2,401,721 Chouinard June 11,' 19462,416,399 McKeinan Feb. 25, 1947 2,439,629 Libby Apr. 13, 1948 2,443,710Rountree June 22, 1948 2,460,193 Raudenkolb Jan. 25, 1949 2,447,041Bucknam et al. July 26, 1949 2,521,669v Rountree Sept. 5, 1950

